Disposable pull-on garment

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a front region, a crotch region, and a back region. The absorbent article has a main portion, a side portion, and a waist portion. The waist portion has a belt portion that has a front belt portion having elastomeric material and a back belt portion having elastomeric material. The front belt portion has a first elastic section and a second elastic section, each section having force zones. The back belt portion has a third elastic section and a fourth elastic section, each section having force zones. The force zones in the portions alternate between a high force zone and a low force zone in at least one belt portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to disposable pull-on garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants and other incontinent individuals wear disposable absorbentarticles such as diapers to receive and contain urine and other bodyexudates. Training pants or pull-on diapers have become popular for useon children able to walk and often who are toilet training. Manydisposable pull-on garments use elastic elements secured in anelastically contractible condition in the waist and/or leg openings.Typically, in order to insure full elastic fit about the leg and thewaist such as is provided with durable undergarments, the leg openingsand waist opening are encircled at least in part with elasticized bandsof rubber or other materials positioned along the periphery of therespective opening.

While it may be believed that a stretchable waist opening generatinghigh contraction force contributes to anchoring the waist opening of thepull-on diapers to the wearer's body, such high contraction forcesometimes causes not only difficulty for a caregiver to apply and removethe absorbent article, but may also cause sagging of the waist openingof the pull-on diaper. The front portion of the waist opening ispositioned on stomach of the wearer, which is considered a high motionzone that undergoes repeated expansion and contraction as the wearerbreathes, sits, squats or bends. When the stomach expands, thecontraction force increases to generate a relatively higher anchoringforce. However, as the contraction force increases, the component forceof the contraction wants to move from the high force state to a lowerforce state and as such the elasticized region tends to move from thehigher circumference higher force region toward the crotch along thecurvature of the belly to a smaller circumference lower force region ofthe wearer. In other words, when a relatively high component force isexerted on the stomach of the wearer especially wearers with a roundbelly, one wherein the waist circumference decreases toward the crotchof the wearer, the waist portion of the pull-on diaper will seek aminimum force state, i.e. smaller circumference thereby causing thediaper waist to sag.

In order to reduce potential sagging caused by high contraction forceexerted on the stomach, high motion zone, it is conceivable to remove orreduce the elastic material in the front center waist portion and theback center waist portion. However, if the elastic material is removedtherefrom, another drawback occurs. Namely, the front center waistportion has no contraction force and therefore may not adequatelycompensate for the movements of wearer. As a result, the front waistportion may flip over or may form gaps as a result of the wearer'smovement. Such flipping-over or gapping of the waist portion is also asproblematic as sagging since it gives a poor impression of the pull-ondiaper to the wearer or caregiver and may result in a loss ofperformance, leakage of exudates from the article. Furthermore,improvements in the absorbent core have led to thinner more flexibleabsorbent structures that may also influence the way the elasticmaterial interacts with the body thereby impacting the overall fit andperformance of the product.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a disposable pull-on garmentto provide an improved fit around the waist opening and/or leg openings.There is also a need for a disposable pull-on garment to improve saggingand or gapping problems around the waist opening. There is also a needfor a disposable pull-on garment to improve flip-over problems in thewaist portion. Additionally, there is a need for designing the waistopening to allow a caregiver to easily apply and remove the absorbentarticle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a front region, acrotch region, a back region, a main portion, a side portion, and awaist portion. The side portion disposed transversely outboard of themain portion; the waist portion comprising a belt portion. The beltportion comprising of a front belt portion comprising elastomericmaterial and a back belt portion comprising elastomeric material. Thefront belt portion comprises a plurality of force zones. The back beltportion comprises a plurality of force zones. The plurality of forcezones comprise a high force zone and a low force zone in at least onebelt portion. The front belt portion and back belt portion arerefastenably connected at the seams.

An absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a front region, acrotch region, a back region, a main portion, a side portion, and awaist portion. The side portion disposed transversely outboard of themain portion. The waist portion comprising a belt portion. The beltportion comprising of a front belt portion comprising elastomericmaterial and a back belt portion comprising elastomeric material. Thefront belt portion comprises a plurality of force zones. The back beltportion comprises a plurality of force zones. The plurality of forcezones comprise a high force zone and a low force zone in at least onebelt portion. The force zones of the front belt portion each comprise afirst plurality of elastic strands. The first plurality of elasticstrands in at least one of the force zones of the front belt portion hasa Dtex value that is different from the plurality of elastics in one ormore of the remaining force zones in the front belt portion. The forcezones of the back belt portion each comprise a second plurality ofelastic strands. The second plurality of elastic strands in at least oneof the force zones of the back belt portion has a Dtex value that isdifferent from the plurality of elastics in one or more of the remainingforce zones in the back belt portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as formingthe present invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description which is taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used todesignate substantially identical elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pull-on garment in its flat uncontractedcondition showing the inner surface;

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross section view of a first embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross section view of a second embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 4C is a schematic cross section view of a third embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 4D is a schematic cross section view of a fourth embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 4E is a schematic cross section view of a sixth embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 4F is a schematic cross section view of a seventh embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 4G is a schematic cross section view of an eight embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross section view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3of an example of a folded outer leg cuff suitable in one embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “pull-on garment” refers to articles of wearwhich have a defined waist opening and a pair of leg openings and whichare pulled onto the body of the wearer by inserting the legs into theleg openings and pulling the article up over the waist. The term“disposable” is used herein to describe garments which are not intendedto be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., theyare intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to berecycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentallycompatible manner). The pull-on garment is also preferably “absorbent”to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Apreferred embodiment of the absorbent article is the disposableabsorbent pull-on garment, shown in FIG. 1.

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to pull-on garmentsgenerally worn by infants and other incontinent individuals to absorband contain urine, feces and/or menses. It should be understood,however, that the term absorbent article is also applicable to othergarments such as training pants, incontinent briefs, feminine hygienegarments or panties, and the like.

As used herein, the terms “elastic,” “elastomer,” and “elastomeric”refer to a material which generally is able to extend to a strain of atleast 50% without breaking or rupturing, and is able to recoversubstantially to its original dimensions, accounting for set, after thedeforming force has been removed.

As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurations whereby anelement is directly secured to another element by affixing the elementdirectly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element isindirectly secured to another element by affixing the element tointermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the absorbent article 20. FIG. 2 is aperspective view of the absorbent article 20. The absorbent article 20has a longitudinal centerline L1 and a transverse centerline T1 (referto FIG. 3 as well). The absorbent article 20 has an outer surface 22, aninner surface 24 opposed to the outer surface 22, a front region 26, aback region 28, a crotch region 30, and seams 32 which join the frontregion 26 and the back region 28 to form two leg openings 34 and a waistopening 36. Also referring to FIGS. 1-3, the absorbent article 20comprises a main portion 1, a side portion 2, and a waist portion 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the absorbent article 20comprises an absorbent main body 38 (hereinafter may be referred to as“main body”) to cover the crotch region of the wearer and a belt 40extending transversely about the waist opening 36. The absorbent article20 may also comprise an outer cover layer 42 to cover the main body 38.The belt 40 defines the waist opening 36. The belt 40, the main body 38and/or the outer cover layer 42 jointly define the leg opening 34. Theabsorbent article 20 may have a patch sheet 44 printed with a graphic 46thereon, which may be disposed in the front region 26 and/or the backregion 28.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the absorbent article 20 comprises anabsorbent main body 38 to cover the crotch region of the wearer and abelt 40 extending transversely about the waist opening 36. The absorbentarticle 20 may also comprise an outer cover layer 42 to cover the mainbody 38. The belt 40 defines the waist opening 36. The belt 40, the mainbody 38 and/or the outer cover layer 42 jointly define the leg opening34. One or more of the belt layers may extend from a first waist edge134 in a first waist region 26 through the crotch region to alongitudinally opposing second waist edge 138 in a second waist region28 and may form a portion or the whole of the outer surface of theabsorbent article 20.

The absorbent main body 38 absorbs and contains body exudates disposedon the main body 38. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the main body 38has a generally rectangular shape having a longitudinal centerline L1, atransverse centerline T1, left and right longitudinally extending sideedges 48 (hereinafter may be referred to as “longitudinal side edge”)and front and back transversely extending end edges 50 (hereinafter maybe referred to as “transverse end edge”). The main body 38 also haswaist panels (i.e., a front waist panel 52 positioned in the front waistregion 26 of the absorbent article 20 and a back waist panel 54positioned in the back waist region 28) and a crotch panel 56 in thecrotch region 30 between the front and back waist panels 52, 54.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the absorbent articles 20may comprise front and rear belts 84, 86 intended to encircle at least aportion of the waist of the wearer, the front and rear belt portions 84,86 being connected by a main body 38 forming the crotch region 30 of theabsorbent article 20. The front and rear belts 84 and 86 may be formedfrom a first belt layer forming a portion of the outer surface 22 of theabsorbent article, the first belt layer 82 may be formed of twolongitudinally spaced webs of material. The front and rear belts 84 and86 may also comprise a second belt layer 83 forming a portion of theinner surface 24 of the absorbent article 20, the second belt layer 83may also be formed of two longitudinally spaced webs of material. Thesecond belt layer may also be discontinuous and spaced apart in atransverse direction. The first and second belt layers 82, 83 may beformed of substantially the same material or may comprise differentmaterials. The first and second belt layers 82, 83 may be formed fromnonwovens, films, foams, elastic nonwoven, or combinations thereof. Thefront and rear belts 84, 86 may also comprise an elastomeric materialdisposed between the first and second belt layers 82, 83. Theelastomeric material may comprise one or more elastic strands,elastomeric films, elastomeric ribbons, elastomeric nonwovens,elastomeric filaments, elastomeric adhesives, elastomeric foams, scrimsor combinations thereof. A portion of the elastomeric material may bedirectly combined with the outer cover layer. The main body 38 of theabsorbent article may comprise an outer surface 22, backsheet 60, aninner surface 24, topsheet 58, and an absorbent core 62 disposed betweenthe topsheet 58 and the backsheet 60. The backsheet may be formed of anonwoven material, woven material, films or laminates comprising acombination of one or more of these materials. In one embodiment thebacksheet is a film and nonwoven laminate wherein the nonwoven of thelaminate is the outer cover layer. In addition, the main body 38 maycomprise elasticized barrier leg cuffs 64 disposed at or adjacent theside edges of the main body. The front and rear belts 84, 86 may overlapat least a portion of the main body and one or both of the belt portionsmay be disposed on the outer surface of the main body or alternativelyon the inner surface of the main body. A portion of the second beltlayer and/or a portion of the first belt layer may be directly attachedto the outer cover layer. Alternatively, the front belt and rear belt84, 86 may comprise longitudinally spaced webs of material forming afirst surface of the belt wherein the webs are folded along the waistedge, or alternatively the leg opening edge, of the belt to wrap theelastomeric material and form at least a portion of the second surfaceof the belt. In other words, at least a portion of the inner surface andouter surface of each of the belt portions may be formed from a singleweb of material.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the absorbent articles 20may comprise front and rear extensible belts 84, 86 disposed in thefront and rear waist regions 26, 28 respectively and intended toencircle at least a portion of the waist of the wearer, the front andrear belts 84, 86 being connected by the main body that forms the crotchregion 30 of the article. The first and second belt may be formed from afirst belt layer extending from a first waist edge 134 in a first waistregion 26 through the crotch region to a longitudinally opposing secondwaist edge 138 in a second waist region 28 and forming a portion of theouter surface of the absorbent article 20. The front and rear belts 84,86 also may comprise a second belt layer forming a portion of the innersurface 24 of the absorbent article, the second belt layer may be formedof two longitudinally spaced webs of material. The first and second beltportions may also comprise an elastomeric material disposed between thefirst and second belt layers. The elastomeric material may compriseelastic strands, elastomeric films, elastomeric ribbons, elastomericnonwovens, elastomeric filaments, elastomeric adhesives, elastomericfoams, scrims or combinations thereof. The main body 38 of the absorbentarticle may comprise an outer surface 22, backsheet 60, an inner surface24, topsheet 58, and an absorbent core 62 disposed between the topsheet58 and the backsheet 60. The first belt layer may form a portion of theouter surface 22. In addition, the main body may comprise elasticizedbarrier leg cuffs 64 disposed at or adjacent the side edges of the mainbody. The second belt layer may overlap at least a portion of the mainbody and one or both of the second belt layer webs may form the outersurface of the first belt layer or alternatively the inner surface ofthe first belt layer. Alternatively, the front portion and/or the rearportion of the first belt layer may be folded along the waist edge ofthe belt region to wrap the elastomeric material and form a portion ofthe second belt layer of one or both of the front and rear belt portions84, 86. In other words, the inner surface and outer surface of each ofthe belt portions is formed from a single web of material.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F, the absorbent articles 20may comprise a full outer cover layer 42, extending from a front waistedge 134 in a first waist region 26, through the crotch region to thelongitudinally opposing rear waist edge 138 in a second waist region 28.The article may also comprise front and rear belts 84, 86 intended toencircle the waist of the wearer, the front and rear belts 84, 86 beingconnected to the outer cover layer 42 and/or the main body 38 of theabsorbent article 20. The first and second belts are formed from a firstbelt layer forming a portion of the outer surface of the belt, the firstbelt layer being formed of two longitudinally spaced webs of material.The first and second belt portions also comprise a second belt layerforming a portion of the inner surface of the absorbent article, thesecond belt layer also being formed of two longitudinally spaced webs ofmaterial. The first and second belt layers may be formed ofsubstantially the same material or may comprise different materials. Thefirst and second belt layers may be formed from nonwovens, films, foamsor combinations thereof. The first and second belts may also comprise anelastomeric material disposed between the first and second belt layers.The elastomeric material may comprise elastic strands, elastomericfilms, elastomeric ribbons, elastomeric nonwovens, elastomericfilaments, elastomeric adhesives, elastomeric foams, scrims orcombinations thereof. The first and second belts may be disposed on theinterior surface of the outer cover layer. Alternatively, the first andsecond belts may be disposed on the outer surface of the outer coverlayer. In such an embodiment the outer cover layer would for a portionof the inner surface of the article in the waist regions and the firstbelt layer would form a portion of the outer surface of the article. Thesecond belt layer when present may be disposed between the first beltlayer and the outer cover layer. The main body 38 of the absorbentarticle 20 may comprise an outer surface 22, backsheet 60, an innersurface 24, topsheet 58, and an absorbent core 62 disposed between thetopsheet 58 and the backsheet 60. In addition, the main body 38 maycomprise elasticized barrier leg cuffs 64 disposed at or adjacent theside edges of the main body 38. One or both of the front and rear belts84, 86 may overlap at least a portion of the main body 38 and one orboth of the belts may be disposed on the outer surface of the main body38 or alternatively on the inner surface of the main body 38. One orboth of the front and rear belts 84, 86 may be disposed on the interiorsurface of the outer cover layer or alternatively one or both of thebelts may be disposed on the exterior surface of the outer cover layer.One or both of the front belt and rear belt 84, 86 may compriselongitudinally spaced webs of material forming a first surface of thebelt wherein the webs are folded along the waist edge 36 of the belt towrap the elastomeric material and form at least a portion of the secondsurface of the belt. In other words, a portion or the entirety of theinner surface and outer surface of one or both of the belt portions maybe formed from a single web of material. The rugosities, wrinkles, foldsin one or both of the front and rear belts may have a differentconfiguration, size, orientation, shape, etc. than that of the outercover layer.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4G, the absorbent articles 20 maycomprise front and rear belts 84, 86 intended to encircle at least aportion of the waist of the wearer, the front and rear belts 84, 86being connected to a main body 38 forming a portion of the crotch region30 of the absorbent article 20. The front and rear belts 84, 86 areformed from a first belt layer 82 forming a portion of the outer surfaceof the absorbent article. The front and rear belt portions 84, 86 alsocomprise a second belt layer 83 forming a portion of the inner surface24 of the absorbent article 20. The second belt layer may be laterallydiscontinuous and spaced apart in a transverse direction. The first andsecond belt layers 82, 83 may be formed of substantially the samematerial or may comprise different materials. The first and second beltlayers 82, 83 may be formed from nonwovens, films, foams or combinationsthereof. The front and rear belt portions 84, 86 may also comprise anelastomeric material disposed between the first and second belt layers82, 83. The elastomeric material may comprise elastic strands,elastomeric films, elastomeric ribbons, elastomeric nonwovens,elastomeric filaments, elastomeric adhesives, elastomeric foams, scrimsor combinations thereof. A portion of the elastomeric material may bedirectly combined with the outer cover layer. The main body 38 of theabsorbent article may comprise an outer surface 22, backsheet 60, aninner surface 24, topsheet 58, and an absorbent core 62 disposed betweenthe topsheet 58 and the backsheet 60. In certain embodiments thebacksheet may be a nonwoven and film laminate wherein the nonwoven isformed by the outer cover layer. In addition, the main body 38 maycomprise elasticized barrier leg cuffs 64 disposed at or adjacent theside edges of the main body 38. The front and rear belts 84, 86 overlapat least a portion of the main body 38 and one or both of the belts maybe disposed on the outer surface of the main body 38. A portion of thesecond belt layer and/or a portion of the first belt layer may bedirectly attached to the outer cover layer. The front and rear belts 84,86 may be formed from a first belt layer extending from a first waistedge 134 in a first waist region 26 through the crotch region to asecond waist edge 138 in a second waist region 28 and forming a portionof the outer surface of the absorbent article 20. The front and rearbelts 84, 86 may also comprise a second belt layer extending from afirst waist edge 134 in a first waist region 26 through the crotchregion to a second waist edge 138 in a second waist region 28 andforming a portion of the inner surface of the absorbent article 20. Thefirst and second belt layers may be formed of substantially the samematerial or may comprise different materials. The first and second beltlayers may be formed from nonwovens, films, foams, woven materials orcombinations thereof. The front and rear belt portions 84, 86 may alsocomprise an elastomeric material disposed between the first and secondbelt layers in one or both of the first and second waist regions 26, 28.The elastomeric material may comprise elastic strands, elastomericfilms, elastomeric ribbons, elastomeric nonwovens, elastomericfilaments, elastomeric adhesives, elastomeric foams, scrims orcombinations thereof. The main body 38 of the absorbent article 20 maycomprise an outer surface 22, backsheet 60, an inner surface 24,topsheet 58, and an absorbent core 62 disposed between the topsheet 58and the backsheet 60. One or both of the first and second belt layersmay form a portion of the outer surface 22. In addition, the main body38 may comprise elasticized barrier leg cuffs 64 disposed at or adjacentthe side edges of the main body 38. A portion of one or both of thefront and rear belts 84, 86 may overlap at least a portion of the mainbody 38. Alternatively, the front belt portion and rear belts 84, 86 maycomprise a belt layer forming a first surface of the belt portionwherein the belt layer may be folded along the waist edge of the beltportion to wrap the elastomeric material and overlap a portion of theopposing belt layer. In other words, a portion of the inner surface anda portion of the outer surface of each of the belt portions may beformed from a single web of material.

A portion or the whole of the main body 38 may be made extensible to adegree greater than the inherent extensibility of the material ormaterials from which the main body 38 is made, e.g., the backsheet 60.The additional extensibility may be desirable in order to allow the mainbody 38 to conform to the body of a wearer during movement by the wearerand or to provide adequate body coverage. The additional extensibilitymay also be desirable, for example, in order to allow the user of aabsorbent article including a main body 38 having a particular sizebefore extension to extend the front waist region 26, the back waistregion 28, or both waist regions of the main body 38 to provideadditional body coverage for wearers of differing size, i.e., to tailorthe article to the individual wearer. Such extension of the waist regionor regions may give the main body 38 a generally hourglass shape, solong as the crotch region is extended to a relatively lesser degree thanthe waist region or regions, and may impart a tailored appearance to thearticle when it is worn. In addition, the additional extensibility maybe desirable in order to minimize the cost of the article 10. Forexample, an amount of material that would otherwise be sufficient onlyto make a relatively smaller article lacking this extensibility can beused to make an article capable of being extended to adequately cover awearer that is larger than the unextended smaller absorbent articlewould fit.

A portion of the main body 38, for example a portion of the chassis inone or both of the waist regions 26, 28 may be made laterally extensibleto a maximum extensibility greater than a maximum extensibility ofanother portion of the main body 38 in the crotch region such that alateral extension of each of the portions to its maximum extensibilityimparts an hourglass shape to the main body 38. In one embodiment, theportion of the main body 38 underlying and/or immediately adjacent oneor both of the front and back extensible belts may be made laterallyextensible to a maximum extensibility greater than a maximumextensibility of another portion of the main body 38, for example thecrotch region, such that a lateral extension of each of the portions toits maximum extensibility facilitates application of the absorbentarticle onto the body of a wearer by enabling the waist regions to beextended to fit over the wearer's hips and in addition, opening andorienting the leg openings enabling the wearer to place the legs throughthe openings more effectively.

Additional lateral extensibility in the main body 38 may be provided ina variety of ways. For example, a material or materials from which themain body 38 is made may be pleated by any of many known methods.Alternatively, all or a portion of the main body 38 may be made of aformed web material or a formed laminate of web materials like thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,801 issued on 21 May 1996 in the nameof Chappell et al. This formed web material includes distinct laterallyextending regions in which the original material has been altered byembossing or another method of deformation to create a pattern ofgenerally longitudinally oriented alternating ridges and valleys andalso includes laterally extending unaltered regions between thelaterally extending altered regions. The formed web material can beextended in a direction perpendicular to the ridges up to the pointwhere the ridges and valleys flatten with substantially less force thanis required to extend beyond that point. In addition to lateralextensibility, the creation of a formed laminate web as described aboveprovides a main body 38 backsheet with improved texture and cloth-likeappearance and feel. The deformation creates a cloth-like pattern in thefilm and increases the loft of the nonwoven in multi-layer film andnonwoven laminate backsheets.

Alternatively, a portion of the absorbent article can be ring-rolled andthus rendered highly extensible as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,782(issued Nov. 22, 1994 to Curro, et al). Specifically, a ring-rollingapparatus includes opposing rolls having intermeshing teeth thatincrementally stretch and thereby plastically deform the materialforming the absorbent article (or a portion thereof) thereby renderingthe article extensible in the ring-rolled regions. In one embodiment,the absorbent article can be ring-rolled in a portion of at least one ofthe front or back waist regions, for example the portion of the mainbody 38 underlying and/or immediately adjacent one or both of the frontand back belts 84, 86, while other regions may comprise a structuredelastic-like formed web material. The article may be ring-rolled acrossthe entire width in one or both of the waist regions or alternativelymay be ring-rolled over only a portion of the main body 38 width or overonly a portion of one or both of the belts.

The front laterally central portion and the back laterally centralportion of the main body 38 may have a different range of extensibilityfrom other portions of the main body 38. Additionally or alternatively,the laterally central portions may be extensible to a greater or lesserdegree when subjected to a given level of opposing tensile forces, i.e.,may be more easily or less easily extensible, than other portions of themain body 38.

The main body 38 may comprise a liquid pervious topsheet 58, a liquidimpervious backsheet 60 and an absorbent core 62 disposed therebetween.The main body 38 may additionally comprise a barrier leg cuff 64disposed along the longitudinal side edge 48. The barrier leg cuff 64provides improved containment of liquids and other body exudates in thecrotch region 30. The barrier leg cuff 64 shown in FIG. 5 comprises asingle layer of material which may be folded to form a barrier leg cuffhaving two layers. The barrier leg cuff 64 extends from the side of themain body at or adjacent the longitudinal side edge 48 toward thelongitudinal centerline L2. The barrier leg cuff may be folded along thefolding line 66 back toward the longitudinal side edge 48. The barrierleg cuff 64 may have a first barrier cuff elastic material 72 adjacentto the distal portion 68 and a second barrier cuff elastic material 73adjacent to the proximal portion 70 of the barrier leg cuff 64. Theproximal portion 70 of the barrier leg cuff 64 may be joined to thebacksheet 60 adjacent to the longitudinal side edge 48. The portion ofthe barrier leg cuff 64 along the folding line 66 and the distal portion68 may be free from attachment to any portion of the main body 38 in thecrotch region 30 such that the barrier leg cuff 64 stands up toward thewearer's body. The transverse end 74 of the barrier leg cuff 64 may bejoined to the topsheet 58 at or adjacent the longitudinally opposingends of the leg cuff by an attachment means which may be any known meanssuch as an adhesive, heat bond, pressure bond or the like as shown in 5.

The liquid pervious topsheet 58 may be positioned adjacent thebody-facing surface of the absorbent core 62 and may be joined theretoand/or to the backsheet 60 by any attachment means known in the art. Theliquid impervious backsheet 60 is generally that portion of theabsorbent article 20 positioned adjacent the garment-facing surface ofthe absorbent core 62 and prevents the exudates absorbed and containedtherein from soiling articles that may contact the absorbent article 20.The absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet 58 and thebacksheet 60 and absorbs and retains liquids such as urine and othercertain body exudates.

The topsheet 58, the backsheet 60 and the absorbent core may bemanufactured any known materials. Suitable topsheet materials mayinclude porous foams; reticulated foams; apertured plastic films; orwoven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers),synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or acombination of natural and synthetic fibers. Suitable backsheetmaterials may include breathable materials that permit vapors to escapefrom the diaper while still preventing exudates from passing through thebacksheet.

A suitable absorbent core for use in the absorbent article 20 maycomprise any absorbent material which is generally compressible,conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable ofabsorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain bodyexudates. In addition, the configuration and construction of theabsorbent core may also be varied (e.g., the absorbent core(s) or otherabsorbent structure(s) may have varying caliper zones, hydrophilicgradient(s), a superabsorbent gradient(s), or lower average density andlower average basis weight acquisition zones; or may comprise one ormore layers or structures). In some embodiments, the absorbent core maycomprise a fluid acquisition component, a fluid distribution component,and a fluid storage component. An example of a suitable absorbent corehaving a fluid acquisition component, a fluid distribution component,and a fluid storage component is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,136.

The outer cover layer 42 may be disposed on the outer surface 22 of theabsorbent article 20 and covers the crotch panel 56 of the absorbentmain body 38. The outer cover layer 42 may extend into and cover thefront waist panel 52 and the back waist panel 54 of the main body 38.The outer cover layer may form a portion of the backsheet and/or themain body. The outer cover layer 42 may be directly joined to and covera portion or all of the liquid impervious backsheet 60 of the main body38. The central panel 80 of the front and back belt 84, 86 may be joinedto the front waist panel 52 and the back waist panel 54 of the main body38 through the outer cover layer 42. Thus, the outer cover layer 42 isdisposed between the front and back belt 84, 86 and the liquidimpervious backsheet 60 of the main body 38. In one embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 and 4C, the outer cover layer 42 is coextensive with the liquidimpervious backsheet 60. The leg elastic material 140 is disposed so asto extend generally longitudinally along the longitudinal side edge 48of the main body 38. The leg elastic material 140 may be disposed atleast in the crotch region 30 of the absorbent article 20 or may bedisposed along the entirety of the longitudinal side edge 48.

The outer cover layer 42 may comprise a material separate from thematerial of the inner layer 83 and the outer layer 82 constituting thebelt 40. The outer cover layer 42 may comprise two or more layers ofmaterials. The outer cover layer 42 may comprise any known materials andmay comprise materials used for the front and back belt 84, 86 asexplained above. The outer cover layer 42 may comprise a single layer ofnonwoven web of synthetic fibers. The outer cover layer 42 may comprisea single layer of hydrophobic, non-stretchable nonwoven material. Theouter cover layer may comprise a film, a foam, a nonwoven, a wovenmaterial or the like and/or combinations thereof such as a laminate of afilm and a nonwoven.

The belt 40 may comprise a front belt 84 and a back belt 86 (hereinaftermay be referred to as “front and back belt 84, 86) and has a ring-likeconfiguration by permanently or refastenably connecting the front belt84 and the back belt 86 at the seams 32 or by permanently orrefastenably connecting the front and/or back belt to the main body 38.

The belt 40 may be ring-like and elastic. The ring-like elastic belt 40extends transversely about the waist opening 36 of the absorbent article20 and acts to dynamically create fitment forces and to distribute theforces dynamically generated during wear. Applicants have found thatimproved fit can be created by controlling the distance between, lineardensity, and and the pre-strain of the elastomeric material in relationto each other and to the openings for the body. This may occur bychoosing different materials throughout the belt 40 that exhibit desiredproperties. The different materials are combined at specific distances,linear densities, and prestrains to create a belt 40 that acts todynamically create fitment forces. This improved fit translates intoreduced sagging and or gapping problems around the waist opening. Theexamples below illustrate various properties of the different portionsof the belt embodiments:

Example 1 The Dimensions of Sections

Width of each section relative to product length (%) First elasticsection (102)  5-25% Second elastic section (104)  5-20% Third elasticsection (106) 10-30% Fourth elastic section (108) 10-25%

Example 2 The Dimensions of the Force Zones

Force zones from front Waist edge to Pre-strain Range Distance fromfront leg edge (%) Dtex waist edge in mm 1^(st) force zone 110 100-250540-1100 0-50 2^(nd) force zone 112 150-300 680-1880 10-100 3^(rd) forcezone 114 100-300 540-1100 30-180 4^(th) force zone 116 100-300 540-110033-200 5^(th) force zone 118 150-300 680-1880 50-220 6^(th) force zone120 100-300 540-1100 80-235 Force zones from back Pre-strain RangeDistance from leg edge to waist edge (%) Dtex back leg edge in mm 7^(th)force zone 122 100-300 540-1100 0-50 8^(th) force zone 124 150-300650-1880 10-100 9^(th) force zone 126 100-300 540-1880 30-150 10^(th)force zone 128 100-300 540-1880 35-200 11^(th) force zone 130 100-300940-1880 50-270 12^(th) force zone 132 100-300 540-1880 80-340

Example 3 Elastic Strands in the Belt and their Properties in Baby CareProducts

Elastic Number from front Waist edge to Pre-strain Range Distance fromfront leg edge (%) Dtex waist edge in mm 1 202 940 Dtex  0-10 2 202 940Dtex 15-20 3 202 940 Dtex 25-30 4 202 940 Dtex 47-52 5 168 540 Dtex56-61 6 168 540 Dtex 65-70 7 168 540 Dtex 74-79 8 168 540 Dtex 83-88 9168 540 Dtex 92-97 10 168 540 Dtex 101-106 11 168 540 Dtex 110-115 12168 540 Dtex 119-124 13 168 540 Dtex 127-133 Elastic number from backleg edge to Pre-strain Range Distance from waist edge (%) Dtex back legedge in mm 29 261 1100 Dtex   0-10 28 261 540 Dtex 15-20 27 261 540 Dtex24-29 26 168 540 Dtex 33-38 25 250 940 Dtex 52-57 24 250 940 Dtex 61-6623 250 940 Dtex 71-76 22 168 540 Dtex 80-85 21 168 540 Dtex 89-94 20 168540 Dtex  98-103 19 168 540 Dtex 107-112 18 104 1520 Dtex  116-121 17104 1520 Dtex  125-130 16 104 1520 Dtex  134-139 15 202 940 Dtex 143-14814 202 940 Dtex 151-156

Example 4 Elastic Strands in the Belt and their Properties in Baby CareProducts

Elastic Number from front Waist edge to Pre-strain Range Distance fromfront leg edge (%) Dtex waist edge in mm 1 215 1100 Dtex  0-10 2 2151100 Dtex 15-20 3 215 1100 Dtex 25-30 4 215 1100 Dtex 47-52 5 150  880Dtex 56-61 6 150  880 Dtex 65-70 7 150 1000 Dtex 74-79 8 150 1000 Dtex83-88 9 150 1000 Dtex 92-97 10 150 1000 Dtex 101-106 11 150  880 Dtex110-115 12 150  880 Dtex 119-124 13 150  880 Dtex na Elastic number fromback leg edge to Pre-strain Range Distance from waist edge (%) Dtex backleg edge in mm 29 150 1000 Dtex  0-10 28 150  750 Dtex 15-20 27 150  750Dtex 24-29 26 150  750 Dtex 33-38 25 200 1100 Dtex 52-57 24 200 1100Dtex 61-66 23 200 1100 Dtex 71-76 22 150  750 Dtex 80-85 21 150  750Dtex 89-94 20 150  750 Dtex  98-103 19 150  750 Dtex 107-112 18 200 1800Dtex 116-121 17 200 1800 Dtex 125-130 16 200 1800 Dtex 134-139 15 1501000 Dtex 143-148 14 150 1000 Dtex 151-156

The front and back belt 84, 86 may comprise any known materials.Suitable material for the front and back belt 84, 86 can be manufacturedfrom a wide range of materials such as plastic films; apertured plasticfilms; woven or nonwoven webs of natural materials (e.g., wood or cottonfibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyolefins, polyamides, polyester,polyethylene, or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of naturaland/or synthetic fibers; or coated woven or nonwoven webs. The belt maycomprise a nonwoven web of synthetic fibers. The belt may comprise astretchable nonwoven. The belt may comprise an inner hydrophobic,non-stretchable nonwoven material and an outer hydrophobic,non-stretchable nonwoven material.

The belt 40 may comprise a first elastic section 102 and a secondelastic section 104 located in the front belt 84. The belt 40 maycomprise a third elastic section 106 and a fourth elastic section 108located in the back belt 86. The first elastic section 102 and thefourth elastic section 108 are adjacent to the waist opening 36. Thesecond elastic section 104 and the third elastic section 106 areadjacent to the leg openings 34. The first elastic section 102 maycomprise of 20 percent to 80 percent, 25 percent, 40 percent, 50percent, 60 percent, 70 percent of the longitudinal direction length ofthe front belt 84. The second elastic section 104 may comprise of 20percent to 80 percent, 25 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent,70 percent of the longitudinal direction length of the front belt 84.The third elastic section 106 may comprise of 20 percent to 80 percent,25 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent of thelongitudinal direction length of the back belt 86. The fourth elasticsection 108 may comprise of 20 percent to 80 percent, 25 percent, 40percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent of the longitudinaldirection length of the back belt 86.

The belt 40 may comprise a front border between the first elasticsection 102 and a second elastic section 104, and the front border maybe located within 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm 40 mm, 50 mm from the frontedge of the absorbent core. The belt 40 may comprise a back borderbetween the third elastic section 106 and a fourth elastic section 108,and the back border may be located within 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm 40mm, 50 mm from the back edge of the absorbent core.

The belt 40 may comprise a first force zone 110, a second force zone112, a third force zone 114, a fourth force zone 116, a fifth force zone118, and a sixth force zone 120 located in the front belt 84. The firstforce zone 110, second force zone 112, and third force zone 114 may belocated in the first elastic section 102. The fourth force zone 116,fifth force zone 118, and sixth force zone 120 may be located in thesecond elastic section 104. The first force zone 110, second force zone112, third force zone 114, fourth force zone 116, fifth force zone 118and sixth force zone 120 may comprise a transverse force of 0 to10N/zone. The force in a zone may also change between the center of thebelt 40 and the left and right longitudinally extending side edges 48.

The first force zone 110 is disposed adjacent to the waist opening 36.The sixth force zone 120 is disposed adjacent to the leg opening 34. Thefirst force zone 110, second force zone 112, and at least part of thethird force zone 114 are located within upper two thirds of the frontbelt width, toward the waist opening along the longitudinal axis. Atleast part of the fourth force zone 116, fifth force zone 118, and sixthforce zone 120 are located within lower two third of the front beltwidth, toward the leg opening 34.

The belt 40 may comprise a seventh force zone 122, a eight force zone124, a ninth force zone 126, a tenth force zone 128, a eleventh forcezone 130, and a twelfth force zone 132 located in the back belt 86. Theseventh force zone 122, eight force zone 124, and ninth force zone 126may be located in the third elastic section 106. The tenth force zone128, eleventh force zone 130, and twelfth force zone 132 may be locatedin the fourth elastic section 108. The seventh force zone 122, eighthforce zone 124, ninth force zone 126, tenth force zone 128, eleventhforce zone 130 and twelfth force zone 132 may comprise a transverseforce of 0 to 10N/zone. The seventh force zone 122 is adjacent to theleg opening 34. The twelfth force zone 132 is adjacent to the waistopening 36. The seventh force zone 122, eighth force zone 124, and atleast part of the ninth force zone 126 are located within lower twothird of the back belt width, toward the leg opening 34. Force zones maybe equally distanced throughout the belt along the longitudinal axis inthe front and back belts 84, 86. Force zones may also be unequallydistanced throughout the belt along the longitudinal axis in the frontand back belts 84, 86. Force zones may have varying width and length.Force zones may be continuous or discontinuous, as for example, whendisrupted by the main body 38 and/or absorbent core.

The front belt 84 may comprise 5 to 50 elastic strands. The front belt84 may comprise 10 to 20 elastic strands. The back belt 86 may comprise5 to 50 elastic strands. The back belt 86 may comprise 10 to 20 elasticstrands. The elastic strands are distributed amongst the different forcezones. Elastic strands may be distributed evenly amongst the forcezones. Elastic strands may also be distributed unevenly amongst thedifferent force zones. Each force zone comprises at least one elasticstrand.

The elastic strands may have a linear density between 200 to 2500.Linear density is the density of the elastic fibers in the elasticstrand. The most commonly used unit for the linear density is thedecitex, abbreviated dtex, which is the mass in grams per 10,000 meters.The linear density may be used to change the force profile. For example,one could reach a desired force profile by selecting the linear densityof a single elastic strand, combining multiple elastic strands with asmaller linear density in close proximity to each other, and/orcombining with other elastomeric materials.

The elastic strands may have an elastic pre-strain. The elasticpre-strain is the percent of length increase in an elastic strand orplurality of elastic strands at the point of combining the elastic(s)with the first and/or second belt layers. For example a strand with afree length of 15 centimeters (cm) may have a load applied such that the15 cm elastic strand is now 18 cm long. This length increase of 3 cm is20% of 15 cm (3/15), or a 20% strain. The elastic pre-strain may be usedto change the force profile of a single elastic strand or a plurality ofelastic strands. Force profiles may also be changed by changing thelinear density in conjunction with the elastic pre-strain of one or moreelastic strands.

The elastic pre-strain of the eighth force zone 124 found in the thirdelastic section 106 of the back belt 86 may be greater than, equal to,or less than the elastic pre-strain of both the seventh force zone 122and the ninth force zone 126. The elastic pre-strain of the eleventhforce zone 130 found in the fourth elastic section 108 of the back belt86 may be greater than, equal to, or less than the elastic pre-strain ofboth the tenth force zone 128 and the twelfth force zone 132.

The linear density of the elastic in the eighth force zone 124 found inthe third elastic section 106 of the back belt 86 may be greater than,equal to, or less than the linear density of the elastic in one or bothof the seventh force zone 122 and the ninth force zone 126. The lineardensity of the elastic in the eleventh force zone 130 found in thefourth elastic section 108 of the back belt 86 may be greater than,equal to, or less than the linear density of the in one or both thetenth force zone 128 and the twelfth force zone 132.

The force of the first elastic section 102 may not be equal to thesecond elastic section 104. The force of the third elastic section 106may not be equal to the fourth elastic section 108. Elastics located inthe fourth elastic section 108 transversely cover substantially thewhole section continuously. Elastics located in the third elasticsection 106 may be laterally interrupted by the main body 38 and/orabsorbent core.

The number of elastic strands in each zone may be changed according tothe placement of the absorbent core. Applicants have found that the useof thinner absorbent cores may lead to a need in increased elastic forceto compensate for the change in article thickness. The force profilemust be adjusted depending on the location and thickness of theabsorbent core. This particularly affects the second elastic section andthird elastic section.

The elastic strands disposed in the belt may be aligned in a curvedfashion so that the a tangent of the curve of the elastic strands mayform an acute angle with the centerline or may form an arcuate shape.This may allow for targeting the force profile and/or coordinating printand elastication/rugosities/elastics in the stretch sections.

The eight force zone 124 of the third elastic section 106 contains agreater or equal force profile than the seventh 122 and ninth 126 forcezones. The eleventh force zone 130 of the fourth elastic section 108contains a greater or equal force profile than the tenth 128 and twelfth132 force zones.

The gaps between the elastic strands may be 3 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm,19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, or 22 mm. The gap between elastic strands in thesecond force zone 112 and the eleventh force zone 130 may be larger thanthe gap between elastic strands in the first 110 and third 114 forcezones or the tenth 128 and twelfth 132 force zones, for example, 20 mm.The gap between the twelfth force zone 132 and the waist opening 36 maybe between about 15 mm to 40 mm. The gaps also apply to the gaps betweentransversely extending elements of a scrim material matrix.

A spacer 136 between the first elastic section 102 and the secondelastic section 104 may be at least 1.5, 2, 3, or 4 times greater thanthe average spacing of the elastics disposed in one or both of theelasticity sections. A spacer 136 between the third elastic section 106and the fourth elastic section 108 may be at least 1.5, 2, 3, or 4 timesgreater than the average spacing of the elastics disposed in one or bothof the other elasticity sections. A spacer 136 may also be between atleast two alternating zones in the front belt portion 84 and the backbelt portion 86. The spacer 136 may be least 1.5, 2, 3, or 4 timesgreater than the average spacing of the elastics disposed in one or bothof the elasticity sections.

Applicants have surprisingly found that by changing the force profilethroughout one or both of the front and back portions of the belt 84, 86so that the second force zone 112, fifth force zone 118, eighth forcezone 124, and eleventh force zone 130 have a greater force profile thanthe adjacent zones creates an improved fit and comfort of the absorbentarticle. The force profile described translates into an improved fitwith reduced sagging and or gapping problems around the waist opening.The gap mentioned in the paragraph immediately above allows for thecaregiver or user to easily apply and remove the absorbent article. Thisprofile can similarly be represented by alternate high low force profileforce zones. An increased force profile of the second force zone 112also allows the caregiver or user to stretch the absorbent article withless force since the force profile of the first force zone 110 is lessthan that of the second force zone 112.

Test Methods Section Test Equipment/Environment

A suitable tensile tester such as an MTS Alliance with MTS Testworksversion 4.0 or equivalent instrument is used. The tester is equippedwith flat clamps that are capable of holding at least the entiretransverse length of the side seam should be used. The instrument iscalibrated according to the manufacturer's specification. Testing isperformed at 23° C.±2° C. and 50%±2% relative humidity.

Sample Prep

The side seams of the product are broken to separate the front belt fromthe back belt. The respective force zones (as described in the DetailedDescription of the Invention) are cut away from these belts. Eachseparated section of the front and back belt will be referred to as a“test sample” herein. All material layers, including the chassiscomponents, should be kept with the test sample. All cut lines arestraight, parallel to the transverse direction of the absorbent article.Each test sample needs to have at least one elastomeric material. Thewidths (a dimension in the longitudinal direction of the absorbentarticle) of the respective zones are measured.

The length of the test sample is determined. The length measures in thetransverse direction of the absorbent article a distance from one end tothe other end of a test sample in a fully stretched condition. The fullystretched condition is the condition where the test sample is stretchedby the force of 0.1 N/mm multiplied by the width of the test sample. Ifone or both ends of a test sample are not parallel to the longitudinaldirection, the shortest length within the test sample is considered asthe length of the test sample.

An adjusted test sample length is defined such that the length of a testsample minus the combined length of any material in the upper and lowerclamps. Thus, if a test sample is mounted in the clamp so that 10 mm ateach end is held in the clamps, then the adjusted belt length is themeasured belt length minus 20 mm.

The test samples are kept unstretched at least for 10 min before thetest.

Test

For each test sample, the initial gauge length of the tensile tester isset to allow the test sample to be mounted in a relaxed state. The loadcell is zeroed to offset the sample weight.

The test sample is stretched in the transverse direction of theabsorbent article at a rate of 254 mm/min, and a load (N) is measuredwithin 5 sec after the test sample reaches at 65% of the adjusted testsample length. The transverse force is calculated for each of the forcezones according to an equation:

A transverse force (N/mm) of a test sample=Measured value (N)/width ofthe force zone (mm)

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numeral values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising a longitudinalcenterline, a front region, a crotch region, a back region, a mainportion, a side portion, and a waist portion; the side portion disposedtransversely outboard of the main portion; the waist portion comprisinga belt portion; the belt portion comprising of a front belt portioncomprising elastomeric material and a back belt portion comprisingelastomeric material; wherein the front belt portion comprises aplurality of force zones; wherein the back belt portion comprises aplurality of force zones; wherein the plurality of force zones comprisea high force zone and a low force zone in at least one belt portion; andwherein the front belt portion and back belt portion are refastenablyconnected at the seams.
 2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein theplurality of force zones alternate between a high force zone and a lowforce zone in at least one belt portion.
 3. The absorbent article ofclaim 1, wherein each of the front belt portion and the back beltportion comprise a first belt layer and a second belt layer.
 4. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first andsecond belt layers is continuous from the front belt portion to the backbelt portion.
 5. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein both of thefirst and second belt layers of the front belt portion are discrete fromthe first and second belt layers of the back belt portion.
 6. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material compriseselastic strands having a Dtex Range of between 300 and 2,000.
 7. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material compriseselastic strands having a Dtex Range of between 500 and
 1900. 8. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric materialcomprising elastic strands of one or more of the force zones have apre-strain value of between 100% and 300%.
 9. The absorbent article ofclaim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprising elastic strands ofone or more of the force zones have an average elastic spacing ofbetween 3 mm and 27 mm.
 10. The absorbent article of claim 1, whereinthe elastomeric material comprising elastic strands of one or more ofthe force zones have an average elastic spacing of between 5 mm and 15mm.
 11. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the elastomericmaterial comprises one or more material selected from the groupconsisting of elastic strands, elastomeric films, elastomeric ribbons,elastomeric nonwovens, elastomeric filaments, elastomeric adhesives,elastomeric foams, elastomeric scrims and combinations thereof.
 12. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein one or more of force zones in oneor both of the belt portions are continuous.
 13. The absorbent articleof claim 1, wherein one or more of force zones in one or both of thebelt portions are discontinuous.
 14. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the absorbent article comprises a continuous force zone and adiscontinuous force zone.
 15. The absorbent article of claim 1, whereina layer comprising the elastomeric material is continuous from a firstside edge of the belt portion to a laterally opposing side edge of thebelt portion, a first portion of the layer having elastic properties anda second portion of the layer disposed in the center portion of one orboth of the front and back belt portions having reduced elasticproperties thereby forming a discontinuous force zone.
 16. An absorbentarticle comprising a longitudinal centerline, a front region, a crotchregion, a back region, main portion, a side portion, and a waistportion; the side portion disposed transversely outboard of the mainportion; the waist portion comprising a belt portion; the belt portioncomprising of a front belt portion comprising elastomeric material and aback belt portion comprising elastomeric material; wherein the frontbelt portion comprises a plurality of force zones; wherein the back beltportion comprises a plurality of force zones; wherein the plurality offorce zones comprise a high force zone and a low force zone in at leastone belt portion; wherein the force zones of the front belt portion eachcomprise a first plurality of elastic strands; wherein the firstplurality of elastic strands in at least one of the force zones of thefront belt portion has a Dtex value that is different from the pluralityof elastics in one or more of the remaining force zones in the frontbelt portion; wherein the force zones of the back belt portion eachcomprise a second plurality of elastic strands; and wherein the secondplurality of elastic strands in at least one of the force zones of theback belt portion has a Dtex value that is different from the pluralityof elastics in one or more of the remaining force zones in the back beltportion.
 17. The absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the plurality offorce zones alternate between a high force zone and a low force zone inat least one belt portion.
 18. The absorbent article of claim 16,wherein the elastic strands have a Dtex Range of between 300 and 2,000.19. The absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the plurality of forcezones in one or both of the belt portions alternate between a high forcezone and a low force zone.
 20. The absorbent article of claim 16,wherein the front belt portion and back belt portion are refastenablyconnected at the seams.